Federal Ministry, College Of Education Hold Maiden Science, Innovation Fair

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, in partnership with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) College of Education, Zuba, has held the institution’s maiden Science and Innovation Fair with the theme: “Innovation: A Quest to Survive in a Challenging World.”

The exhibition, staged at the College’s multipurpose hall, brought together academics, students, government officials, and industry experts. Its strong emphasis was on harnessing local creativity to address Nigeria’s social and economic realities.

Students showcased projects designed to solve everyday problems, from agriculture to renewable energy. Gloria Ismailia, a biology education student, presented a biogas digester that converts organic waste into cooking gas. Nmesoma Obi and her team developed a solar-powered multipurpose farming machine for planting and fertiliser application. At the same time, Praise Okafor, a student of Maitama Government Secondary School, displayed a natural acid-base indicator made from Zobo leaves as a low-cost alternative to imported laboratory chemicals.

Declaring the fair open, Provost of the College, Dr Sule Mundi, said the exhibition reflected the urgency of preparing Nigerian youths for the future.

“Our world is shifting rapidly, and survival depends on how well nations can convert knowledge into usable solutions. What our students have presented today proves that Nigeria is not lacking in talent; what is required is deliberate investment and consistent encouragement,” he said.

Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Dr Olushola Segun Odunsanya, who served as guest speaker, urged students and policymakers to see the theme as a call to action. “Nations that fail to innovate remain trapped in dependency cycles,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Colleges of Education, Hon. Adamu Tanko, described the fair as a breakthrough, noting that student projects like the solar farming machine could transform rural agriculture, reduce drudgery, and boost food security.

Closing the event, Dr Mundi called for deeper government and private sector support, stressing that the fair should evolve into an annual platform where creativity is rewarded and scaled for national use.